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Populist politicians always invoke pork-barrelling promises (election bribes) as a way to make themselves popular. In recent NZ political history the master of the craft was Muldoon whose 1975 NZ Superannuation election bribe was the bribe of all bribes. 42 years on his political successors have still failed to reverse it, despite the untold damage it has done to intergenerational equity, economic and social well-being. The degree that it restricts governments being able to invest in issues of the day is without precedent.

Good political debates are hard to find these days, you can have Jacinda and Bill throwing shapes at each other, or a cacophony of other players who are permanently attached to Labour or National pretending they will have some influence post-election.

Labour’s plan to charge for water was met with hysterical squeals from farmers and commercial water users. Apparently farmers will go broke and apples will cost $2.80 each. It is of course all complete poppycock.

Today The Opportunities Party is pleased be unveiling a policy that’s close to my political heart, professional experience and personal background as a business operator, an investor, and professional economist.

While the consensus seems clear that Steven Joyce’s claim of Labour having an $11.7 billion dollar hole is not true, the same cannot be said of Winston Peters and New Zealand First.

New Zealand First’s spending promises have reached new heights this election, with at least $12.5bn per year unaccounted for. Add to that one-off outlays of $18bn, and a NZ First government would be scratching around for $55bn after one term (three years). This is from the ridiculous to the absurd, even for Winston Peters.

Steven Joyce and Bill English like to parade the ”strong economy” as one of National’s achievements. I’m not sure what the boys are on, but any robust appraisal of New Zealand’s economy since the Key government came in shows mediocre performance at best. So if this what they think as “strong” I’d hate to see what they expect when we hit turbulence.

Politicians love power and control. Being able to glide around the country, promising free puppies to the good people who like them, and smacked bottoms to the BAD PEOPLE WHO WOULD PROBABLY SEND THEIR PUPPIES TO SCHOOL WITH NO LUNCH seems to be the first page of the politician’s handbook. Heck – you might even think it’s the foundation of democracy.